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To meet California statewide goal of 75% diversion by 2020:

  • a 32 gallon bin is more than enough for 90% of Milpitas residents
  • 20 gal cart would be a great cost-saving/waste diversion option. Palo Alto city data shows about 33% residents use 20 gal cart�

“Specifically, a household of three to four people should have a 32-gallon garbage cart, and a 64-gallon garbage cart for households with five or more residents. As of January 2015, approximately 90 percent of residents use a 32-gallon garbage cart.” Source: http://sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/44038

Why does Milpitas Collections RFP include 64 and 96 gallon bins, and not 20 gal bin?

90% residents

10% residents

“Residents were offered 32-, 64-, 96-, and 128-gallon carts with an "aggressive" unit-pricing structure. In the three years since our program began, an average of 87 percent of residents have requested 32-gallon cans-the smallest size we offer." Source: https://archive.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/tools/payt/web/html/ssanjose.html

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  • Milpitas current flat garbage rate is 4th highest in the county for standard 30-35 gal bin
  • Milpitas is ranked in bottom 3 for waste diversion (recycling) rate in the county

Flat rate = lowest diversion

High rate for large cart = highest diversion

Stop flat garbage rates: It discourages recycling and force residents to pay more than they need to

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  • Why is pricing not based on volume, as used by other cities?
  • Proposed pricing favors 10% users, while 32-gal bins (90% users) is #4 highest in the county
  • Why is there no option for low cost 20-gal bins? Palo Alto data shows ~33% use 20-gal cart.

“Specifically, a household of three to four people should have a 32-gallon garbage cart, and a 64-gallon garbage cart for households with five or more residents. As of January 2015, approximately 90 percent of residents use a 32-gallon garbage cart.” Source: http://sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/44038

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“Residents were offered 32-, 64-, 96-, and 128-gallon carts with an "aggressive" unit-pricing structure. In the three years since our program began, an average of 87 percent of residents have requested 32-gallon cans-the smallest size we offer." �Source: https://archive.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/tools/payt/web/html/ssanjose.html

Proposed $11 difference between 96-gal and 32-gal may not be aggressive enough for high waste diversion

Flat rate = lowest diversion

High rate for 96-gal cart = highest diversion

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The proposed rates heavily favors big carts or 10% users.�20-gal carts and lower rates for 32-gal carts needs to be considered to protect the interest of 90% users.

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Case Study: Palo Alto

Goal of Zero Waste (virtually no waste burned or buried) by 2021

  • 2011: Palo Alto landfill closes after 60 years, having reached its capacity
  • 2012: The composting facility closes after 34 years
  • 2012: The recycling center closes after 41 years
  • Top 3 in Santa Clara County for waste diversion
  • Home Valuation: $2.6 million (median)

60% to 80% in 5 years

Significant percentage of residents opt for low priced 20 gallon mini-can

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Statewide goal: 75% diversion by 2020

To increase from 60% to 75%, Milpitas MUST reduce its waste to landfill!